New Convenience-Store Roundup for November 2018

CHICAGO — This edition of New Convenience-Store Roundup features new c-store openings, closings and more for the month of November 2018.

The unscientifically gathered roundup—gleaned from company announcements, websites, email, social media and newspapers around the country, among other sources—is by no means complete, but it serves as a monthly competitive snapshot of newly opened or closed U.S. convenience stores, gas stations, truckstops and travel centers not previously reported in CSP Daily News.

Click here for new c-store roundups from previous months, along with other grand-opening and new store coverage. Click here for recent M&A activity.

Many of the stores listed here are owned by independent operators, while others belong to major chains. And many are part of CSP’s Top 202 list of the largest chains in the industry. Some of the owners and operators are new entrepreneurs, and some are industry veterans.

Alabama

Dale's Market, a new convenience store and gas station, opened in West Point, Ala., in November.

Net new stores*: 1

*Represents stores opened minus stores closed in this state for the month of this count only. Other c-stores not captured by this count may have opened or closed in the state. It also does not include store openings previously reported in CSP Daily News.

Florida

Bryant’s Neighborhood Marketplace opened Nov. 2 in Tallahassee, Fla., near Florida A&M University. Fourth-generation entrepreneur and psychotherapist Carter Wiggins owns the new c-store. His aunt and uncle owned the original store in the 1940s. Wiggins plans to make the store a comfortable place for students to study, do homework or read by adding outdoor tables and seating. He also plans to offer hot lunches, more dairy products and hot sausages. The store offers a 10% discount on any purchase for university students who provide identification.

Illinois

It offers truck and trailer parts, diesel fuel sales and a drive-thru truck wash. The company plans to open a c-store on the site. At its adjacent trucking operation, Cadence will add five electric tractors to its own fleet and 20 electric-vehicle (EV) charging stations. The 77,000-square-foot Pit Stop is on a site that also includes the company’s corporate offices and training facilities.

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new travel stop in Oakwood, Ill., on Nov. 29. The more than 15,000-square-foot facility features a Hardee’s restaurant, Fresh to Go food options, a Mobile to Go zone, seven diesel bays, 67 truck parking spaces, seven showers, laundry facilities, a Speedco truck lube, tire and battery service facility and a CAT scale.

Iowa

Hill Country Convenience Store opened in Colesburg, Iowa, in late November. The 2,500-square-foot store fills a void in the city of approximately 400 people, which has lacked a grocery option for several years. It sells a wide variety of items, including milk, eggs, cheese, canned goods, produce and frozen meats. The business also offers pizza and sandwiches to go.

New Jersey

QuickChek opened a new c-store in North Plainfield, N.J., on Nov. 6. The new 4,898-square-foot store introduces a new design to meet the needs of today's fast-casual shopper, with more than 50% of the store dedicated to fresh food and beverages. It features an open layout in earth-tone colors, cleaner sight lines and spacious stand-alone food displays with consumer-friendly expansive aisles. The new store will be open 24 hours a day and include no-fee ATMs, indoor seating for 13 people and outdoor seating for eight, 16 fueling pumps at the gas station and 42 parking spaces.

New Mexico

Pilot Flying J opened a new Pilot location in Jal, N.M., in November. It features a PJ Fresh food offering, 43 truck parking spots, six diesel lanes and 12 gasoline fueling positions, five showers, laundry facilities, Western Union and a CAT scale.

Oklahoma

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new travel stop in El Reno, Okla., on Nov. 8. The more than 11,000-square-foot facility features a Carl’s Jr. restaurant, Fresh to Go food options, a Mobile to Go zone, nine diesel bays, 95 truck and three RV parking spaces, seven showers, laundry facilities, a Mobile to Go zone and a CAT scale.

Texas

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new travel stop in Sulphur Springs, Texas, on Nov. 15. The more than 11,000-square-foot facility features a Carl’s Jr. restaurant, Fresh to Go food options, a Mobile to Go zone, eight diesel bays, 92 truck and five RV parking spaces, seven showers, laundry facilities, a Speedco truck lube, tire and battery service facility and a CAT scale.